More about the dca

In 1978, the Downriver Community Conference (DCC) was established in an effort to encourage and promote the economic growth of the Downriver communities. Just a few months later, the Downriver Council for the Arts (DCA) was established. The motivation to form this arts council was to improve the quality of life and enhance the image of the 15 communities that belonged to the Downriver Community Conference. Because arts activities were recognized as an important factor in Downriver’s quality of life and its economic development, the Downriver Council for the Arts began as a department of the Downriver Community Conference.

The original mission of the DCA was to encourage the development of an aesthetically satisfying environment among the cities and townships that comprise the Downriver Community Conference area.

In 1989, the DCA left the DCC to become an independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization. This major change in status greatly enhanced the independence of DCA’s decision making and provided many new opportunities for funding.  For two years, the DCA was located in Southgate. From 1992 to 2000, the DCA leased an attractive second floor renovated space of the Historic Marx Home, an “annex” of the Wyandotte Historical Society.

In 2000, moved from the Marx Home to a freshly remodeled and reconstructed old farmhouse on the property of Wayne County Community College Downriver Campus in Taylor, Michigan. The move afforded the organization ample room for giving Downriver arts organizations space for meetings, as well as provided room for art exhibitions and an arts library.

The year 2010, brought the official grand opening of the DCA in its current location. The DCA now operates out of the James R. DeSana Center for Arts and Culture (the Arts Center), a three-story, nearly 20,000 SF historic building located at 81 Chestnut Street in downtown Wyandotte. The architecture of the building, constructed in 1911, represents the splendor of a different era: a time when Wyandotte exemplified our region’s entrance into America’s industrial boom. The structure was built by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, an internationally recognized fraternal service organization. In 1943, the building was bought by the Fraternal Order of Free and Accepted Masons. The Masons remained in the building for over 50 years, continuing the Odd Fellows’ tradition of community service and good fellowship. The building was purchased by the City of Wyandotte in 2008 under the tenure of then Mayor James R. DeSana (now serving on the DCA Board of Directors). The intention was to preserve its rich history and redevelop it as a cultural facility.  The Center became the home of the DCA in 2010 through a partnership with the City and the DDA. In late 2016, the City of Wyandotte and DDA extended our lease for a 10-year commitment. We feel this partnership helped solidify our place and home as a regional arts and cultural center.

Our goal for the James R. DeSana Center for Arts and Culture is to be a multi-use, multi-generational, and multi-cultural destination arts facility that contributes to the expansion of the area’s economic development initiatives and provides educational opportunities for the communities into the future. The Center serves the community in three ways – it creates opportunities for community artists to showcase their skills, it serves as a cultural resource for the community, and it serves as an educational facility.  A significant goal in the DCA’s strategic plan is to relate the arts and design programming of the Center to regional economic development, not only through the creation of a destination attraction, but also by acting as a magnet for career and educational opportunities by building partnerships with educational institutions and corporations.

Today, the Downriver Council for the Arts (DCA) is a regional non-profit 501(c)(3) arts and cultural organization that proudly serves nearly 400,000 residents in 21 Downriver communities. Downriver is the area in Michigan comprised of cities south of Detroit. The Downriver area is generally known to consist of communities that rest along the Detroit River south and west of Detroit and including communities as far west as those surrounding the Detroit metropolitan airport and south to Monroe County. In historic times, these cities were accessible by traveling down the Detroit River. Downriver overall is known as a suburban Detroit region with working-class residential neighborhoods. These cities were mainly populated with workers who were employed by the dozens of auto factories, manufacturing suppliers, ship builders, steel mills and chemical plants in the area. Recreational opportunities are often centered around the waterways. The low cost of living, down to earth mentality and good work ethic in the communities make for a good place for artists to call home. The Downriver area also provides a cheaper cost of living alternative to the immensely growing Downtown Detroit. 

Today the DCA's mission is to enrich the quality of life in the Downriver communities by advocating and promoting the arts and providing opportunities for involvement and participation in arts and cultural activities. We actively support local artists and performers through artistic outreach programs and special promotional opportunities. The DCA also creates regional partnerships with other cultural organizations, schools and service clubs to promote artistic, cultural and special events throughout Southeast Michigan. We hold these activities in our Arts Center and by operating in the various cities we serve.

WHAT THE DCA OFFERS

We provide opportunities for involvement and participation in the arts through lectures, workshops, adult and youth classes, summer youth art camps, gallery exhibits, cultural events, theater productions, literary events, music concerts and classes, an artist gift gallery, facility rentals and volunteer opportunities.

Where and who?

The DCA proudly serve nearly 400,000 residents in 21 Downriver communities. Downriver is the area in Michigan comprised of cities south of Detroit. In historic times, these cities were accessible by traveling down the Detroit River. Downriver overall is known as a suburban Detroit region with working-class residential neighborhoods and includes Allen Park, Belleville, Brownstown, Ecorse, Flat Rock, Gibraltar, Grosse Ile, Huron, Lincoln Park, Melvindale, River Rouge, Riverview, Rockwood, Romulus, Southgate, Sumpter Twp, Taylor, Trenton, Van Buren, Woodhaven and Wyandotte.

Download our overview brochure here.

DCA Board of Directors

These individuals effectively make decisions about the strategic, legal, financial, and operational direction of the DCA. We welcome all individuals who possess the knowledge and skills to help support the efforts of the DCA. We are looking to grow our board by adding individuals dedicated to working towards our mission. Board members are not paid, but serve as volunteers for the organization. We accept nominations all year. Interested parties should submit their letter of intent to the Nominating Committee at dc4arts@downriverarts.org. 
Michele Porter - President
Dale Cook - Treasurer
Jan Dunbar - Corresponding / Recording Secretary
Waltraud Prechter - Member at Large
Jill Blackson
Rob Bovitz
Kimberly A. Copeland, PhD, MPA, CFRE
Andy Morsello

DCA Bylaws: Amended Nov. 2022/Reviewed Apr. 2024. Click here to download.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Downriver Council for the Arts maintains an intentional focus on ensuring inclusion in our community regardless of age, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical ability or socioeconomic backgrounds. The DCA remains committed to strengthening our understanding of equity and diversity by listening to our community’s needs, researching rich and diverse artistic programming, and providing education for our staff, faculty and board. We actively engage our community in a manner which is inclusive of the broadest range of ideas and approaches while in the pursuit and creation of arts and culture. The arts require individual thought and expression, so we believe that when people feel respected and included they can be more creative, innovative, and successful. We celebrate your individuality and invite you to experience, to engage, to learn and to create in our artistic world.

ACCESSIBILITY

The Downriver Council for the Arts (DCA) is committed to making our programs and services accessible to all stakeholders. DCA events are open to the public and located at accessible venues. Reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request.  Please contact the DCA two weeks in advance to make your request or to obtain additional information. The DCA welcomes comments on how to improve and enhance our services for people with disabilities.

Website Accessibility

The DCA is committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of technology or ability. We are actively working to increase the accessibility and usability of our website and in doing so adhere to many of the available standards and guidelines.

Links to Third Party Sites/Disclaimer of Liability & Endorsement

Some links on the DCA website are not under the control of the DCA, and the DCA is not responsible for the contents of any linked site or any link contained in a linked site, or any changes or updates to such sites. The DCA is not responsible for webcasting or any other form of transmission received from any linked site. The DCA is providing these links to you only as a convenience and the inclusion of any link does not imply the DCA’s endorsement of the site.  DCA makes no warrant, express or implied, nor assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information from the service or links to other services.

The Downriver Council for the Arts (DCA) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides services without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex or handicap.

What it means when you see "… supported by the MICHIGAN COUNCIL FOR ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS and the NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS.

The State of Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) strengthens arts and culture in Michigan by increasing its visibility; supporting arts education; encouraging new, creative and innovative works of art; and broadening cultural understanding. A key conduit for arts and cultural information, MCACA is also a source of arts and culture grant funding. MCACA coordinates grants to arts and culture organizations, cities and municipalities, and other nonprofit organizations to encourage, develop and facilitate an enriched environment of artistic, creative and cultural activity in Michigan. The Downriver Council for the Arts is a recipient of a MCACA grant. Many people throughout the state are unaware of the long-term impact our programs have on the quality of life in our community. This impact extends beyond a quality arts or cultural experience, it also includes employee retention, business retention, cultural tourism, and various other forms of economic impact, as well as, the educational impact our organization has on our community. Without the state government investment and support of our elected officials our grant award is not possible. Organizations receiving a MCACA grant award are required to match those funds with other public and private dollars. We strongly encourage you to keep supporting arts in your community! You can visit the MCACA website at https://www.michiganbusiness.org/industries/mcaca/about-mcaca/

Federal support is granted through the National Endowment for the Arts. Art Works grants support the creation of art, public engagement with art, lifelong learning in the arts, and enhancement of the livability of communities through the arts. Please visit the NEA website at arts.gov.